Egg prices in Maharashtra have surged to unprecedented levels amid a widening supply–demand gap, with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar emerging as one of the worst-affected regions. According to wholesalers and officials cited by PTI, the state is currently facing a massive shortfall of nearly 1.5 crore eggs per day against a seasonal winter demand of around three crores.
Wholesale prices have climbed to over ₹7 per egg, pushing retail prices close to ₹8—placing added pressure on households already coping with a nearly 45–50% spike in tomato prices over the past two weeks.
Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department attribute the production slump to disease outbreaks in major sourcing states such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Additional Commissioner Shitalkumar Mukane said the disruption began during the rainy season, as several poultry owners delayed replacing infected birds, resulting in a sharp drop in output. The onset of chilly weather has further pushed up consumption, tightening the supply situation.
Maharashtra, which relies heavily on out-of-state supplies, is now receiving fewer consignments from Tamil Nadu due to its own domestic shortages.
While consumers grapple with soaring prices, some poultry operators note that the current market conditions are improving margins for producers. Feroz Pinjari, a poultry businessman from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, told PTI that favorable rainfall in Marathwada has lowered the cost of corn—a key poultry feed ingredient—adding that today’s wholesale rate of ₹7.10 is significantly higher than the ₹6.10–₹6.30 range recorded during the same period last year.
Experts also point to rising demand driven by changing food habits. Anita Jinturkar from Krishi Vigyan Kendra under Vasantrao Naik Agriculture University said that consumers increasingly prefer eggs for their nutritional value, low risk of adulteration, and versatility in everyday dishes such as samosas and biryani.
With supply constraints expected to persist in the short term, egg prices may remain elevated until production stabilizes in key poultry belts.